william k gbiswold



'(Nmodel.) 4

W. N. GRISWOLD.

FIRBESGAPB. l

Patented Peb.- 12, 18.814.

UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

. YWILLIAM N. GRIS\YOLD,OF NEY YORK, N. Y.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Y SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent l\l-'0. 293,322, dated February 12', 1884.

Application hd October 29, `15283. (Xo model.)

To all whom, it nay concern.: V

Beit known that I, XVILLIAM N. GRiswoLD,

controlled and handled bythe iire-department or tire-service, applicable for use in connection with any building, and speedily made ready for the purposes intended, and one which may be employed to afford egress from any window or aperture in the building without danger of accident to the escaping occupants. To accomplish all of this, the invention involves certain novel and useful peculiarities of construction and arrangements or combinations of parts,all of which will be herein first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 represents an elevation of one corner of a building to which my improved "fre -escape has been applied, showing the essential parts of the apparatus in elevation. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the basket or enage shown in folded position,` in which position it is ready to be transported. I

In both these gures like letters of reference, wherever they occur, indicate corresponding parts.

A represents any building in connection with which it maybe desirable to use the hre-escape.

B is the main cable or wire rope of the apparatus, amply strong for the purpose, and of suicient length to reach the tops of the highest buildings. It maybe one-half inch in diameter,

. more or less, and is made of wire because of its flexibility, strength, and capacity to withstand the effects of heat.

Aftixed to the'main, cable B is an anchor or grappling-hook, (represented at 0,) the same being calculated to grapple with any object upappliances are common, and need not to be herein shown.

Many forms ofguns or mortars are iitted with specially-devised shells or projectiles to which a line can be attached, and any of these may be connected with the line for hoisting the anchorlines, Snc., if desired.

To make doubly sure of a firm anchorage for themain cable, (a most important consideration,) the anchor C is provided with a baekingline, (of wire or other rope,) represented at D. This may be projected over thebuilding, if required, or may be made fast to any chimney or .other suitable object in or on the building.

At E is a pendant of wire rope connected with the anchor or grapple, and carrying `at its free end a single block, F, through which block passes another wire rope or cable, G. This latter line is lighterthan B, and may be about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, or more or less, as maybe desired. It is intended to operate as a hoistingline.

, G is the cage, intended to be run up on the main line B, to receive the occupants of the building,'or for the use of iiremen for carrying up hose, fireutensils, &c. This cage is made so that its sides and ends fold together, substantially as represented in Fig. 2, being preferably constructed of wire, so that it is light and compact for transportation, and yet strong and durable enough for the uses intended. It is made to move up and down upon the line B upon any suitable form of traveler, as at H, and may be provided with any form of brake, so that its descent may be under control of the occupants independently of the hoisting-line. The anchor, being located, sustains the line B and the hoisting-line, and as soon as it is ascertained that the anchorage has been made secure the line G is affixed to the cage, or the traveler thereon, and the cage then hauled up. It (the cage) may be brought before any window or other aperture in the building by suitably IOO shifting and locating the line B, using for this purpose a line, a, applied to a runner or bullseye, b, upon the line B. The cage, having received its load, may be lowered by the line G, the `line B sustaining the greatest burden. I is a cart or reel for carrying the line B, and K is a small reel for carryi-ng the line G. lThese may be attached to or carried upon anyfhosecart or hook-andladder carriage, being always convenient and ready for use.

Being so constructed and arranged, the improved re-escape is easy to handle and locate, and affords the important advantage of being applicable for use in connection with any building, however high.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a re-escape of the character herein set forth, the combination, with the anchor, of the main line or cable, the pendant carrying the block for the hoisting-line, and the backing` line, all connected with said anchor, and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a fire-escape of the character herein set forth, the combination of the anchor, the main line, backing-line, pendant having` the block, the hoisting-line running through said block, and the cage arranged to travel on the main line, substantially as shown and described.

8. The herein-described fire-escape, consisting of the main line, anchor, backing-line, pendant with the block, hoisting-line running through said block, folding cage arranged t0 travel upon the niain line, and reels for the lines, all combined and arranged substantially 

